curious

adjective

cu·​ri·​ous ˈkyu̇r-ē-əs How to pronounce curious (audio)
ˈkyər-
1
a
: marked by desire to investigate and learn
They were curious as to who won the game.
The cat was curious about its new environment.
b
: marked by inquisitive interest in others' concerns : nosy
curious about the neighbors' doings
2
: exciting attention as strange, novel, or unexpected : odd
a curious coincidence
We were concerned about his curious behavior.
3
a
archaic : made carefully
b
archaic : precisely accurate
c
obsolete : abstruse
curiousness noun

Did you know?

Since the 1300s, "curious" has been variously used to describe things that in some way require, invite, or are characterized by carefulness or inquisitiveness. In so doing, it carries on the legacy of its Latin source, the adjective curiosus, meaning "careful" or "inquisitive." The comparative of "curious" is "more curious," though it is not unusual to encounter the phrase "curiouser and curiouser," made popular by the title character of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland who, Lewis Carroll tells us, "was so much surprised that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English."

Choose the Right Synonym for curious

curious, inquisitive, prying mean interested in what is not one's personal or proper concern.

curious, a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to learn or to know.

children are curious about everything

inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity and persistent quizzing.

dreaded the visits of their inquisitive relatives

prying implies busy meddling and officiousness.

prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business

Examples of curious in a Sentence

The cat was naturally curious about its new surroundings. They were curious to find out who won the game. We're curious about why you never called us. I'm curious to know more about her. She found a curious old clock in the attic. The birds were engaged in some curious behavior. Their music is a curious blend of disco and rock. By a curious coincidence, they bought a house the same day their old one burned down.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The block where the pope grew up A flood of pilgrims and other curious visitors began arriving at the little brick house where Pope Leo grew up within hours of the announcement of his election. Michael Loria, USA Today, 19 May 2025 The kinky pic from British first-time feature writer-director Harry Lighton follows the burgeoning odd-couple pairing of the handsome and charismatic Ray (Alexander Skarsgård) and introverted but curious Colin (Harry Melling). Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 18 May 2025 In the meantime, here comes Dangerous Animals, a curious choice to premiere in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, ahead of its June 6 release through IFC and Shudder. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025 The coaching staff’s insistence on sticking with Freddy Gaudreau and Gus Nyquist on the third line was curious. Michael Russo, New York Times, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for curious

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French curios, from Latin curiosus careful, inquisitive, from cura cure

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of curious was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Curious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curious. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

curious

adjective
cu·​ri·​ous ˈkyu̇r-ē-əs How to pronounce curious (audio)
1
: eager to learn
a cat curious about its new surroundings
2
3
: attracting attention by being strange or unusual : odd
a curious old coin
that's curious—they were here yesterday
curiously adverb
curiousness noun
Etymology

Middle English curious "made carefully, skillful, eager to learn," from early French curios (same meaning), from Latin curiosus "careful, inquisitive," from cura "care, healing" — related to accurate, cure

More from Merriam-Webster on curious

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